STOCKPORT joined Caldy at the top of North Two West after a 33-13 home win over Bowdon.

Tim Burgon's men suffered a double early blow with Graeme Smith suffering a neck injury after five minutes, Nick Wroe replacing him on the wing before Bowdon took the lead against the balance of play from a penalty.

Peter Bredenkamp touched down to open Stockport's account before Joe Weeks used quick hands to pick up and touch down for a try shortly before the break, converted by Andy Wrathall, as Stockport turned round 12-8 ahead.

The visitors scored first as the second half got underway with a well worked move but the final 20 minutes of match produced Stockport's best rugby of the day.

The first try came from Tom Mantell after the forwards had mauled to close to the line allowing Mantell to pirouette over. Ben Chadwick, on for Weeks, added the conversion.

The next try was well worth the price of admission. The ball was worked up the right touch line at speed before John Wilson popped up in support and ran under the posts. Chadwick added the extras for a 26-13 lead - but the scoring was far from finished.

Ben Kerr rounded off the day with his first try for Stockport after skipping away from a despairing tackler before scampering in to score.

With Winnington Park losing at Aspull and Caldy winning at Penrith, Burgon's men joined Caldy in top spot but will have to be on their guard against a resurgent Aspull at Headlands Road on Saturday.

MARPLE edged away from the South Lancs and Cheshire three relegation zone courtesy of a 25-19 Wood Lane win over Sefton.

Two early Jim Duffy penalties banished any Marple nerves although Sefton scored an unconverted try on the stroke on half-time.

After the break Sefton added an early converted try, but Marple wing Simon Dunn went over in the corner followed by an incredible conversion from Jim Duffy.

Ashley Sharp then scooped up a loose ball and ran unopposed under the posts handing Duffy the easiest of conversions.

Sefton narrowed the gap to 20-19 with a converted score but it was Marple who came through at the end when another loose ball was hacked down the pitch several times by Duffy who won the race to dive on it over the try line.

Marple's win was soured by the injury to two of the players: Malcolm Bennet and captain Jon McPherson who suffered a cracked rib and could miss Saturday's trip to Prenton.